Adjustable height gauge and jack



Jan. 14, 1958 G. c. F. BECK 2,819,529

ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT GAUGE AND JACK Filed April e, 1954 lillADJUSTABLE'IHEIGHT GAUGE AND JACK Gustaf C. F. Beck, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application April 61954, Serial No. 421,293'

Claims. (Cl.` 33-164) This invention relates to` threadedlyandlongitudinally adjustable jack mechanisms comprisingusually a ,screwthreaded, upstanding base or pedestal member anda stem or head-carryingmember having threaded connection with the iirst member for proving,through applied torque, a` powerful lifting movement as well as alongitudinally adjustable instrumentality for accurately measuring orindicating a'variety `of slightly, different heights within apredetermined range. Such structures in the prior art, generallyspeaking, have been used for hoisting orflifting operations and in someinstances, on smaller scale, have been employed with set screw means orthe like as adjustable gauges to facilitate `height or lengthdetermination of manufactured articles.

It is an object of my invention toprovide a comparatively simple buthighly efcient jack mechanism, the inherent construction of which iswell adapted for a hoisting jack while nevertheless providing a nelyadjustable gauge for deterrniningwith` precision, the heightorlength ofmanufactured articles subjected to inspection.

A further object isthe provision in simplied jackform, of a highlyefficient, threadedly adjustable gauge forV set determination ofprecision heights tofacilitate inspection of manufactured articles,tools, dies vand the like, wherein accurate readings for heightadjustments through fractional turning of a stem member upon a screwthreaded pedestal as well as displacements `and/ or revolutions may bequickly obtained through certain novelgraduations and combinativeindicator of ,my improved construction.

Another object is the provision in structure of the Class described of alock medium combined with the threaded interconnection of pedestal andlongitudinally adjustable stem whereby the stem may be lockedfor eithersupport or height-determining` function at anV infinite numberofthreadedly adjusted positions` to determine height or to support a heavymember intelevated position.

Still another object, is the provisionin structure of the classdescribed, of a head member rotatably connected with the upper end ofthe adjustablestem in suchmanner as to alford maximum bearing support.therefrom as well as a lock relation thereto.

These andother objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the followingdescription made in connectionwith theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters .referVtOsimiIarparts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. l is a view showing an embodiment of my Vinvention adapted for usebothasan adjustable gauge and hoisting jack mostly in side elevationbutwith a longitudinal portionbeing broken away, showing, some of theworking parts in cross section;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectiontaken on the line 2,-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinalor `vertical cross: section showingoneyform of ,thetadjusta'olestem of my construction in full with` aswiveled` but nevertheless lockable head applied thereto; and.

Fig. 4 is a -viewsimilarto Fig.` 3tbut showing another l"arentn ice formofjack stem having an integrally formed "head affixed thereto.

Referringnow to both forms of the invention illustrated,-\I provide avertical pedestal P having'pas shown, a circular, integrally formedbase6 providedwith aplanar supportn surface 6a and having an integral,upstanding sleeve 7, as shown internallylthreaded alongl the greaterportion of its length 7a and terminating at` its upper vend in a planar,annular abutment surface 7b. AnA elongated screw stem Shaving externalthreads 8a throughout substantially its length and of similar screwpitch to the threads 7a, is threadedly engaged within-the sleeve 7 andcarries at its upper end a somewhat enlarged head 9 of cylindricalshape, having a horizontal upper surface 9a.

The short, annular lock nut 10 having Vinternalfthreads 10a of similarpitch to the threads 7av and 8a, is: interposed betweenthe upper end ofstem Sand the upper end-and abutment surface 7b of the pedestal4 sleeve.Lock ,nut l() terminates `at its lower end in a reduced'portion having ahorizontal, planar jamming surface 10b which is adapted to be forcedagainst the end 7b ofthe sleeve. The lock nut 10 preferably has its`upper portion provided with circumferentially spaced, deep notches orknurling 10c (see Fig. 3) to facilitate turning and jamming thereof, forlocking function.

In the forms of the invention illustrated, `head'.9 is provided with arigidly attached, depending`twofunction indi.- catoror 'pointer 11,being off-setland angled at its upper end lla as shown in Fig. 3, forrigidand precise attachment to the periphery` of head 9 andlhaving itsbody as shown, disposed in predetermined longitudinalrelation and inslight working clearance fromthe periphery `of pedestal sleeve 7. Theright hand edge (as, viewed in Fig. l.) of indicator 11 adjacent atleast its upper portion, is straight and parallel to the axis of` stem 8to cooperate fordetermining fractional turnings of the Istem relativelto the pedestal with a multiplicity` of calibrated,circumferentiallyspaced graduations 12 formed upon theupper. marginal portion of thepedestal sleeve. These graduationsrmay be calibrated to representthousandths of an inch` in thedisplacement` or adjustment of stem 8throughvarious degrees .of threaded turning relative to pedestal`7.

The lower end of pointer or indicator llmay be ,utilized ormay be formedinto a sharp .lateralV .1lb tocooperate with one or more series of`longitudinally spaced. graduations 13 calibrated and atintervals,.preferably,.numbered to indicate relative revolutions of thestem 8 upon ,pedestal P from apredetermined startingtpositiou. lin-thisconneetion, the starting position or lowermostl position of head 9isimportant and to this end, suitabler annular abutf ment surfaces ofplanar formare provided atthe bottom endtof `head 49, the upper endoflock nut 10 andas previously recited, at '7b on theupper',endzofsleeve'.

In Fig. l, my adjustable gauge isshowninmaximum, compacted or shortenedposition `withthevariousY abutment surfaces previously described inengagement andfwith the lower end of indicator 11 designatingzero andiwith the pointer 11 longitudinally positioned over` thelongitudinallyspaced graduations 13.

In Fig. 3, the device is ShOWnadjuStedWithithe stem 8 extendedconsiderably after several `revolutions have been imparted by torquethereto. Thelock nut; lil-in Fig. 3 has been manually screweddownwardlyl in clockwise direction to jam the under horizontal surfacethereof against the planar upper end 7b of thestern.` The head 9ofcourse,l when the device is used as a gauge, must be rigidly affixedupon the upperend of the stem `as by aset screw 14/with of course theindicator lll-iirst being properly adjusted in alignment with thegraduations` .13 when the` device is shortened to the maximumfextent;

When. la. predetermined` setting.. is, desired, thefhead'. 19.

and with the stem 8, is turned through the predetermined revolutions,revolution or partial revolution, as determined by the two sets ofgraduations 12 and 13, to give the precise inspection height desired.Thus, if the longitudinally spaced graduations 13 representing each onerevolution of the stem indicate 1/10 of an inc h and thecircumferentially spaced graduations 12 indicate 1/1000 of an inch, toset the guage for 705%[000 of an inch, the stem is revolved seven timesas determined by the cooperative relation of pointer 11 and longitudinalgraduations 13 and thereafter, is turned through live of thecircumferentially spaced graduations 12, resulting in precisely theoverall length desired, to wit, 705/1000 of an in-ch. At such point, thelock 10 is manually screwed clockwise to jam its 'lower horizontalsurface against the upper end of the sleeve, thereby positivelyretaining the desired length upon the guage. v

The gauge may be then used in the various well known manners as ameasurement block or precision inspection gauge to position slide blocksof indicators, die-making tools and the like.

Similarly, if a reading or determination of an unknown height isdesired, the gauge on the same horizontal support surface may beadjusted to cause the head 9 to engage the surface whose height is to bemeasured and thereafter, the reading taken off of the two sets ofgraduations to determine precise height. Thereafter, if a predeterminedworking clearance is desired, the stem 8 may be turned to the fractionof a revolution of revolution and proper fraction desired as may bedetermined from the cooperation of the indicator or pointer 11 with thetwo sets of graduations described.

In smaller or larger sizes, my structure, particularly that illustratedin Figs. l to 3 without use of the graduations and indicator 11, isparticularly well adapted for hoisting or clamping jacks. A head 9swivelly attached to the stem such as shown in Fig. 3, is then ofparticular advantage in that it enables the stem 8 to be raised orlowered without applying turning friction to the member lifted orengaged.

In the form of the swiveled head 9 shown in Fig. 3, the upper end of thestem 8 is provided as shown, with a medially and peripherally V-grooved,head-retaining collar 15, the groove 15a being adapted to accommodatethe head-locking set screw 14 which threadedly engages and is receivedin a threaded radial socket of head 9. Head 9 is concentrically boredand machined to nicely fit the upper and lower circular flange portionsof collar 15 and further, is provided with an inner planar bearingsurface for engagement against the upper extremity 15b of collar 15.

Head 9 is further provided with a depending short bearing skirt 16 forengaging in ball bearing contact 16a the horizontal annular shoulder ofan enlargement collar 17 affixed or integrally formed with stem 8 justbelow collar 15. Thus, maximum bearing surface is provided between thehead 9 and stern 8 when locking connection of the head and stem isreleased.

In using my structure as a jack, torque is of course applied incounterclockwise direction for lifting through a suitable wrench or toolwhich may interlit at its inner end, suitable notches or apertures 17ain the enlargement 17. During such lifting action with the head 9released there will be no turning friction applied to the supportedarticle. When the jack is elevated the desired distance, lock nut 10 maybe manually turned to set the sameg, causing jamming of the lower end ofthe nut against the upper extremity 7b of the pedestal sleeve.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided anadjustable height gauge capable of micrometer adjustments and veryaccurate calibrated reading for determining and engaging precise heightsor lengths desired.

It will further be seen that the device is equally capable of use as aiack for a wide variety of uses in lifting and leveling various piecesof machinery and the like. In leveling or jack operations, thecombination of the close cooperating parts of my device make possiblevery effective, accurate and calibrated variance in heights readilydeterminable from the readings obtained through the cooperation of theindicator arm and two or more sets of graduations 12 and 13.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in theform, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A combination adjustable gauge and lifting jack comprising, avertical pedestal having a horizontal base and an upstanding sleeveportion open at its upper end and internally threaded throughout asubstantial portion of its length, a stem for 'longitudinal adjustmentin said pedestal having an external thread for engagement with thethread of said sleeve and provided with means adjacent its upper end forapplication of torque thereto, a short lock nut internally threaded uponsaid stem and having a horizontal jamming surface for engagement withthe upper end of said sleeve, said stem having an annular collar at theupper end thereof defining in conjunction with the immediately lowerportion of said stem, a horizontal, annular thrust bearing ange and saidstem terminating in a substantially horizontal thrust bearing end and ahead rotatively mounted upon said collar and having an under bearingsurface in contact with the terminal thrust bearing surface of said stemand having also a depending, annular bearing surface in contact withsaid annular flange about said collar and means for retaining said headagainst longitudinal displacement from said collar.

2. A combination, adjustable gauge and jack comprising a verticalpedestal member having a horizontal base and provided with alongitudinal screw thread, an elongated, vertical stem member having alongitudinal screw thread for engaging said first mentioned thread toprovide relative longitudinal adjustment, a lock nut threadedly engagingone of said threads and having a horizontal jamming surface forengagement with an edge of one of said members, a head connected withthe upper end of said stem and having a horizontal planar upper surface,an indicating pointer rigidly aliixed to said head and dependingvertically from the periphery thereof in close spaced relation to theperiphery of said pedestal, a calibrated scale comprisingcireumferentially spaced graduations formed on the periphery of saidpedestal to indicate degrees of turning of said stern relative to saidpedestal in combination with a longitudinal edge of said indicatingpointer and a second scale consisting in a series of graduations spacedlongitudinally upon the periphery of said pedestal to indicate incombination with the lower terminal of said indicating pointer thenumber of revolutions of said stem relative to a starting position ofsaid stem Iupon said pedestal.

3. A combination adjustable gauge and lifting jack cornprising, avertical pedestal having a horizontal base with a downwardly facingsupporting surface and an upstanding sleeve portion open at its upperend and internally threaded throughout a substantial portion of itslength, said horizontal base being adapted to stand freely on ahorizontal surface with the center of gravity lying in a vertical linewithin the periphery of the base, a stern for vertical adjustmentdisposed in said pedestal and having an external thread for engagementwith the thread of said sleeve and provided with means. adjacent itsupper end for application of torque thereto, a short lock nut internallythreaded upon said stern and having a horizontal jamming surface forengagement With the upper end of said sleeve, an enlarged head at theupper end of said stem rotatably mounted with respect to said sleeve andhaving anupwardly facing plane surface in spaced parallel alignment withthe downwardly facing supporting .5 surface of said horizontal base,said gauge and lifting jack being adapted for upright positioning upon ahorizontal supporting surface for sliding beneath an upwardly spacedhorizontal supported surface for bearing engagement between saidrespective supporting and supported surfaces.

4. A combination adjustable gauge and lifting jack comprising, avertical pedestal vhaving a horizontal base with a downwardly facingsupporting surface and an upstanding sleeve portion open at its upperend and internally threaded throughout a substantial portion of itslength, said horizontal base being adapted to stand freely on ahorizontal surface with the center of gravity lying in a vertical linewithin the `periphery of the base, a stem for vertical adjustmentdisposed in said pedestal and having an external thread for engagementwith the thread of said sleeve and provided with means adjacent itsupper end for application of torque thereto, a short lock nut internallythreaded upon said stem and having a horizontal jamming surface forengagement with the upper end of said sleeve, an enlarged collar securedto the upper end of said stem and having an upwardly facing ball bearingrace, and a head having a downwardly facing surface with a ball bearingrace in opposed relation with that of the enlarged collar and furtherhaving depending abutting means for engagement with the enlarged collarto prevent endwise displacement of the head, said head having anupwardly facing horizontal bearing surface in spaced parallel alignmentwith the downwardly facing bearing surface of the base whereby saidgauge and jack device may be positioned and extended into bearingengagement between the horizontal surfaces of spaced articles.

S. A combination adjustable gauge and jack comprising, a verticalpedestal member having a horizontal base and provided with alongitudinal screw thread, an elongated vertical stem member having alongitudinal screw thread for engaging said first mentioned thread toprovide relative longitudinal adjustment, a lock nut threadably engagingone of said threads and having a horizontal jamming surface forengagement with a shoulder on one of said members, a head connected withthe upper end of said stem and having a horizontal planar upper bearingsurface, a depending indicating pointer rigidly secured to said head andextending outwardly of the pedestal in clearance with said lock nut andwith the outer periphery of said pedestal and terminating medially ofthe ends thereof, a calibrated scale circumferentially spaced about theperiphery of said pedestal to indicate degrees of turning of said sternrelative to said pedestal in combination with a longitudinal edge of theindicating pointer, and a second scale also formed on the periphery ofsaid pedestal laterally to the circumferential tirst mentioned scalewhereby to indicate the number of revolutions of said stem relative to astarting position of said stern and the depending end of said indicatingpointer with respect to the sleeve and the second scale.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS964,824 Tidd July 19, 1910 2,247,797 Anderson July 1, 1941 2,349,159Freeman May 16, 1944 2,350,881 Dickerman June 6, 1944 2,426,933 IaroszSept. 2, 1947

